System not booting with recommended RAM by Asus - Asus ROG strix x870-f WIFI

[Jonesvw]

Hi All, 

I know there are multiple posts with similar issues, but I couldn't find any that match mine exactly. Therefore, I'm seeking help with my specific problem.

System specs:
ASUS ROG STRIX X870-F GAMING WIFI
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Corsair DDR5 Dominator Titanium 2x32GB 6000 CMP64GX5M2B6000Z30
RTX4090 
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
Latest BIOS version Version 1003

Troubleshooting:

After completing my build with the recommended RAM modules, my system would not boot. The orange memory light was on, and nothing happened after 20 minutes.

I then used RAM modules from my other system: Corsair DDR5 Vengeance RGB 2x16GB 6000 CMH32GX5M2B6000Z30K (not on the recommendation list for this board), and my system booted. I installed Windows 11, and everything worked fine. I enabled EXPO 1 in the BIOS, and it still worked fine, indicating no hardware issue. Both modules were detected, and I had 32GB of RAM available.

Since there was no hardware failure and I had bought the recommended RAM modules, I installed one of the recommended modules, and my system booted into Windows. However, it only showed 16GB of available memory (both memory sticks behaved the same). When I added a second recommended module, it booted into Windows and showed 32GB of available memory, although it should have been 64GB.

Next, I went into the BIOS and tried EXPO 1 and 2, but this made things worse, and the system could not boot anymore. I cleared the CMOS and tried to boot again, but it didn't work. I cleared the CMOS again and tried my RAM modules from my other system, and everything worked again.

It's strange that the recommended modules are not working while the non-recommended ones do. It seems the motherboard has issues with the 32GB modules, but not with the 16GB modules.

I ordered another set of 32GB Dominator modules (also not listed in the recommended section), but I had the same issue as with the recommended ones. When I installed these in my previous system with an ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-F GAMING WIFI, they worked perfectly.

I even went as far as to deinstall the CPU and check the pins, but they were all fine and none were bent. It would have been strange if they were, as the 2x16 modules from my other system are working fine. So, again, it does not seem to be a hardware issue.

Does anyone have a fix or an idea of what is going wrong? Should I do an RMA, or is it up to ASUS to fix this problem with another BIOS update?

Thanks for reading and your feedback.

[Nate152]

Hello Jonesvw

Each time you swap out your memory, be sure to clear the cmos.

Because you doubled the capacity, 64GB 6000MHz Cl30 may need manual voltage tuning. But either way, it should work at default settings.

Try installing the 64GB memory kit in slots A2-B2 (2nd & 4th slots from the cpu). While your pc is powered off with the psu cable unplugged, clear the cmos, then try booting up.

Do you get a successful boot?

[Jonesvw]

Hi Nate152, 

Thanks for your quick reply and suggestion. 

I've cleared the CMOS multiple times without any luck. Even waited long enough to be sure that the memory training had enough time. I have read that with DDR5 and high capacity modules it could take a while. Waited an hour (shouldn't take that long) and still nothing changed. 

I have tried it ones more in the order as you suggested and waited 20 minutes, but still no luck. 

[Jonesvw]

Forgot to add: I am using the recommended RAM slots on the motherboard A2-B2

[Nate152]

Ok, try one stick in the A2 slot and clear the cmos.

Is it still detected as a 16GB module?

[Jonesvw]

Yes, when it wants to boot, it doesn't always want to boot even with one module. My other dominator set was having the same behavior and works fine in my other system. What I can do is try the latest new memory kit in my previous system but this will probably end up doing the same and work fine.

[Jonesvw]

It seems that the MB can't handle 32GB memory sticks while it should be able to handle it.

[Jonesvw]

I assume it is a bug in the BIOS and it will be solved in the future. Is there a timeline available on when a new BIOS version will be released? Or do we have insight on what they are working on? For example, some bugs that they are aware of and working on a solution.

[Jonesvw]

I'll be checking out this beta BIOS version this evening:

Version 1103 Beta Version

16.12 MB 2025/02/12

SHA-256 :2A39A0ABEE61D84214F152516D347BB0173172461B4EF7AE7B42E7126F1D753E

"This BIOS enhances system performance and improves high-capacity memory compatibility. This includes support for 2*DIMM memory configurations, achieving speeds up to 6800MT/s with AEMP enabled.

Before running the USB BIOS Flashback tool, please rename the BIOS file (A5571.CAP) using BIOSRenamer."

[Nate152]

Yes, it's certainly worth a shot to try the beta bios.

It seems you already know how to update the bios as you're on 1003.

After updating the bios, your memory should be at default settings.

Let us know if your memory is detected and working properly.